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NIAGARA FALLS, ON, Jan. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - Marineland Canada is responding to news reports of additional charges being laid against the park by the OSPCA related to alleged failures to respond to the standard of animal care and permitting an animal to be in distress related to a Fallow Deer, a Red Deer and an Elk.

These charges stem from an inspection on November 10, 2016, sixty-one days ago.

The OSPCA charges fail to identify a specific animal they believe to be in distress or not receiving an appropriate level of care sixty-one days ago at our park, and failed to identify a specific animal in their charges today.

Once again the OSPCA has opted to publicly announce charges and this time even undertook a press conference with the Deputy Chief Inspector of the OSPCA Jennifer Bluhm answering questions for the media. A representative of Marineland contacted Melissa Kosowan of the OSPCA to seek our participation by phone or web link in their press conference to allow us to hear the information they were sharing with the media, but had not shared with us. This request was refused, with Marineland being told this was not possible.

We believe the OSPCA is continuing a publicity campaign at the behest of a band of discredited activists with little relevant expertise or knowledge, in an effort to avoid further embarrassment related to an ongoing investigation into the OSPCA's perceived failure to protect animals that is being led by the same activists they are now firmly in bed with.

Marineland looks forward to the OSPCA laying out their case in court, where facts matter and there is an objective measure of reality that has not been seen in the basis of their charges or the supporting documentation. We will hold the OSPCA to the high standards of Ontario's legal system and require them to defend their charges to the fullest extent possible.